Festival Focus 2017: Line-Ups for this summer’s big events begin to roll out

There's already a few events that have us dreaming of summer...

January always feels like the longest month of the year, whether you were last paid pre-Christmas or because it’s tax season for the self-employed among us. While we have finally made it out at the other side, there’s not time to take a breather as those dreaded festivals rear their heads to get us excited for the summer with their initial lineup announcements and we have to break the bank again (assuming you’re not already booked up for those winter festivals). We were going to run separate posts on each festival but we’ve decided to collect the best we’ve seen so far. Those taking place abroad probably need the biggest run-up financially so if you fancy it, get sorting now!

UK Festivals

WILD LIFE festival is back for a third year, taking place once again at Brighton City Airport in Shoreham, West Sussex, and the first dozen or so headliners have been announced. Fatboy Slim and Jess Glynne are top of the bill, but worth noting is Wiley, who will be a very busy man this summer if he fancies showing up, and BRITs Critics’ Choice winner Rag N Bone Man. Tickets from wildlifefestival.com

Sussex’s other great festival is THE GREAT ESCAPE, which pushes new music forward with more than a hundred live acts from around the world performing across the city of Brighton. Some of this year’s acts have been unveiled via a promotional TGE video, and notable confirmations include 67, Avelino, Belly Squad, Kojo Funds, Mullally and Stefflon Don. The aforementioned Rag N Bone Man will perform one of the special Spotlight shows, for which tickets can be purchased separately. Get all you need at greatescapefestival.com

One of the earlier festivals this summer, May Bank Holiday brings We Are FSTVL weekender to Upminster and Craig David, Giggs, Dizzee Rascal, Kurupt FM, Katy B, Mistajam,Wiley,Mist, Preditah, Section Boyz and DJ Target are among the names across the number of special stages. Get the full lineup at www.wearefstvl.com

Billed as the UK’s first fesival of 2017, CEREMONY is a relative bargain feast of grime, garage and more in April at Haggerston Park in East London (also home to Born & Bred in the summer). Terror Danjah‘s Hardrive label will be hosting a stage with a whole host of DJs such as Slimzee, Spyro, P Jam, Trends and D.O.K.. MCs include Capo Lee, Killa P, Jammz and Irah. Tickets at https://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?911238

Over on the island of Pag, there will be the return of FRESH ISLAND to Zrce Beach in July, which promises another feast of hip-hop and surrounding sounds. Rae Sremmurd, Sean Paul, French Montana and Jazzy Jeff are among those confirmed to make the long trip from the other side of the Atlantic, while Krept & Konan, Lady Leshurr and Tim Westwood will be repping the UK. More names will be announced soon, but why wait? See what’s good at fresh-island.org

Dance music festival HIDEOUT, also on Zrce Beach, includes a number of RWD favourites this year with Wiley and Mistajam among those announced today. They join the likes of Major Lazer, Stormzy, AJ Tracey, Kurupt FM, Disciples, TQD and Mike Skinner. Tickets and further info at hideoutfestival.com

Stay tuned to the RWD website for more festival line-up announcements as they come…